Tubular binder



p 1955 F. F. GREGORY 2,718,229

TUBULAR BINDER Filed May 16, 1952 INVENTOR Fredrick Gregory BY M, @hown -lgidhsvx ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,718,229 TUBULAR BINDER Fish-nit F. Giegor van Nuys, Calif. ApplicationMay 16, 1952, Serial No. 288,159 1 Cl. 129-18) The present invention provides improved means for binding together loose sheets of paper, such as for example the pages of a book, where the binding is to be of a permanent character, or the sheets of a loose-leaf assembly, where the binding is more or less transient in character in that it permits the addition of extra sheets in the binding assembly or removal as may be needed or desired of seiec'ted sheets.

The present invention is predicated on the desirability of effectuating simplicity in binding together in a temporary fashion sheets of a so-called loose leaf assembly, or in binding together permanently the individual pages of a book or other assembly where it is desired to unite the pages in a permanent manner, therefore, one of the principal objects. of this invention: is the provision of an improved binding element of a highly simplified character, comprising. a flexible tubular member, the ends of which are adapted to receive or engage, over the oppositely projecting ears or pintle-pin like projections provided in the binding edges of the sheets, the sheets ,whenbound together either in a permanent or temporary manner, lying fi'atly in either closed or open position.

,The invention is particularly advantageous in that it eliminates the requirements of the provision of particular tools, or other equipment which is required for punching small-individual holes inthe sheets-to be bound together, and it, also eliminates other forms of binding units which maygscar or damage other merchandise in handling or P st i An ,important object of this invention is the provision of a binding means for individual sheets of paper, or sheetrnaterial of other composition, which means are extremely simple, as has been indicated above, in conjunction with, or cooperation with, particularly prepared sheet material which are desired to be bound together,

the particular preparation of the sheets however being carried out in conjunction with, or simultaneous with, othencutting operations of the sheets, the invention thereby contemplating the combination of a particularly cut sheetwith a particular binding means cooperatingtherewith, the said sheet or sheets being prepared for reception of the binding means simultaneous with other operations such as trimming or cutting operations on the outside edges-or corners of the sheets being bound.

It is thought that inaddition to the foregoing, many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as description proceeds, with reference to the accompanying drawings; and the features of novelty will bepointed out in p articularityin the appended claim, it being apparent that the invention provides a particular combination between the contour of the edges of the sheets to bebound, and the binding means, the invention being applicable to' sheeets. or pages of any given dimensions.

The invention will be understood more readily by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of sheets 2,718,229 Patented Sept. 20, 1955 "ice 2 bound together in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in section showing the manner of applying the improved binding means;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modification wherein the size of the sheets or pages relative to the binding means requires a plurality of the binding means, one of which is shown in binding position and another of which is shown as being applied to the sheets for the binding together thereof. 1

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a plurality of sheets such as the pages of a book or a sheaf of paper, or a plurality of sheets of any other character or material is indicated by numeral 1, the sheets being held together by a tubular binding means 2.

In order to receive the tubular binding means in binding position for binding the sheets 1 together, the binding edge, of each of the sheets is provided with an identical elongated notch 3 all of these notches being in substantially exact registry with one another and being of substantially exactly the same size or dimensions, the notches 3 terminating in end pintle like tabs or cars 4 which project towards each other and have a slot 5 intermediate the tabs 4, and the body of each leaf of the sheaf of papers or series of leaves so that when assembled, the tabs 1- and slots 5, receive and hold the opposite ends of the tubular binding element 2, the tabs 4% projecting into the open ends of the binder 2, while opposite end portions of the binder 2 adjacent to the ends thereof enter the corresponding slots 5, so that the sheets 1 will be bound together while enabling the sheets to be rotated freely and flatly about the tubular binder 2 withoutdanger of displacement therefrom, so that the leaves 1 will be securely bound together.

It will be apparent from the drawings that the tubular binding means 2 is substantially the same length as is that of each sheaf or leaf 1, so that the tubular binding means 2 must be made sufficiently flexible and resilient so that it may be bent sufiiciently to receive the end tabs 4, and resilient so that it will resume its original shape and will bridge the space between the end tabs 4, the latter holding the tubular binder in binding position for the sheets 1 the interfit between the sheets and binding elementbeing sufficiently loose to permit ready and cornplete rotation of each sheet around the binding element 2 throughout a complete circle, so that each sheet will lie flatly at all times during opening and closing manipulations, the identical notches 3 forming clearance between each sheet and the binding means. The diameter (inside diameter) of the tubular binder 2 is large enough to receive completely the tabs 4 of all the sheets or the assembly or sheaf thereof.

The notches 3, the end tabs 4 and the terminal notches or slots 5 are formed suitably by the appropriate useof steel rule dies, such requiring the minimum of investment;- and the use of steel rule dies is of additional advantage in that in many instances book binding procedures require the use of die-cutting operations for rounding page corners, for cutting pages apart, for cutting novelty designs into the covers of a book, and any other cutting operations which may be required to be performed; Thus, with the present invention, the notches for binding may be cut in the same die-cutting operation at considerable savings in cost. v

The tubular binding element 2 has an over-all length equal to the total length of the notches 3 so that the element is retained against accidental displacement by restraining action of the tabs 4, the width of the slots 5 accommodating the end wall portions of the binding element, the length and depth of the notches 3 in the sheets 1 affording clearance between the sheets 1 and the binding element 2, so that the sheets are rotatable around the binding element 2 during opening and closing of the silient at normal room temperatures.

bound assembly, each of the sheets or pages 1 lying flatly when opened and closed, and being capable of complete 360 rotation around the binding member 2. The interfits of the tabs 4 in the ends of the binding member 2 and between the end wall portions of the tubular binding element 2 and the slots are loose and free, although positively retaining, the binding element 2 against displacement, the sheets are freely rotatable around the binding element to permit unimpeded opening and closing of the assembly and free rotation of any number of the bound sheets around the binding member 2 for enabling ready selection of any sheet or page without tearing or otherwise damaging any of the sheets in the bound assembly.

The binding member 2 may be made from a wide variety of commonly available materials. Preferably, it may be made from a resilient synthetic plastic material of which a wide variety is now available on the market which can be fabricated into a tube and cut to a desired length. Another convenient material is one of the readily available rubber compositions, which likewise can be formed into a tube and cut into suitable lengths. The diameter of the tube on the inside must be large enough to receive freely all of the tabs 4 of the sheets to be bound together in a single assembly, or in given instances, the inside diameter may be large enough to permit insertion of additional tabs for permitting the binding of additional sheets in the given assembly.

Since the length of the binding member 2 is equal to the total end to end length of the notches 3, the effective length of the binding element 2 must be capable of being decreased temporarily for enabling it to receive the tabs 4, this being effected by bending the binding element 2, as indicated by Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, until the tab 4 can enter the opposite ends of the binding element 2. The resiliency of the tubular binding element causes it to return to its original shape or length when it is released, the returning action securing the tabs 4 in the ends of the tubular binding element 2, and corresponding end portions of the wall of the binding element enter into slots 5, the binding element 2 and the pages 1 being bound thereby being held securely in binding position; and as the bottom portion 6 of each notch 3 of each sheet 1 clears the side of the wall of the binding element 2, each page or sheet of the bound assembly can be turned freely around the binding element 2, as has been pointed out above, so that each page or sheet of the bound assembly will lie flatly when either opened or closed.

From the drawing it will be apparent that an important feature of the tubular type of binder employed in the present invention is its simplicity. It may be attached to thepages being bound by unskilled or inexperienced help without requiring the use of mechanical equipment of any kind. The normal method of attachment involves the utilization of the natural flexibility of the tubular binder, bending the tubes just enough to permit the engaging of the tabs of all sheets or pages, previously prepared for binding as a unit. The tubular binder preferably is made of a plasticized synthetic resin having the required amount of resiliency or the ability to return to the original shape, so that it will be self-returning to its straight tubular form and thus hold the pages firmly and neatly, by the simple expedient of imprisoning the diecut tabs at the top and bottom of the die-cut notch. If the binding is to be of a loose-leaf type, allowing for the possibility of pages being later added or removed from .the bound unit then the recommended binding tube is made of a material which will be flexible and resilient when attached and which will remain flexible and re- The binding element 2 can be of any length, wall thickness, or diameter commensurate with the conditions of convenience in applying weight, or any other convenience. A wide variety of materials is available for its manufacture. Thus, the tubular binding element 2 may be made of any rigid,

flexible or semi-flexible material having the requisite properties, the available materials including paper, cardboard, metal, rubber, plastic or any other composition that may be a combination of these materials.

The present invention has the following advantages, among others, in addition to those specifically pointed out above. Thus, the present invention permits the preparation of sheets or pages for binding and at minimum cost, eliminating the need for any special holepunching equipment and permits binderies to use standard die-cutting processes. The invention also permits sheets or pages to be notched for binding by a simple die-cut operation, using steel rule dies at minimum investment. The use of steel rule dies is an important advantage in that many instances of book binding already requires a die-cutting operation, for rounding page corners, for cutting pages apart, or for cutting novelty designs into the covers of a book, as has been mentioned above. The notch for binding may be cut in the same die-cut operation, at considerable savings in cost.

The tubular binding element permits a full 360 opening of the bound pages, and permits the pages to lie flat when open. It also permits the use of a Wider range of materials, the specific material depending upon the strength desired. However, the fact that the tubular binding element forming a part of the present invention is a perfect or continuous tube uncut in any way, provides each binding assignment with maximum strength and life. There are no weak spots, such as in comb-type bindings, where after flexing a tooth or the backbone itself may break. Once attached, the tubular binding element of the present invention is not required to flex, the page tabs in the ends of the tube being fully rotatable relative to the tube for opening and closing the bound assembly without transmission of any flexing stresses to the binding element throughout normal usage. Therefore, any tendency of separation or deformation of the binding element is eliminated.

Where the relative size of the binding element and the pages being bound are such that the use of a single binding element may not be desirable or practicable, a plurality of the binding elements may be used as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, where two of the binding elements 2 are applied to the relatively large sheets or pages 1 in the same manner as has been described above. Obviously, if needed, any number of the binding elements 2'may be employed. The binding elements 2 do not need to be circular in cross section, but they may be elliptical, oval, or polygonal, depending upon the specific manner in which the elements are to be utilized. 1

It will be apparent also from the foregoing description that while there has been illustrated and described a convenient and preferred form of the invention, it will be apparent that various changes in structural detail may be made without departing from the inventive concept; and accordingly, it will be understood that it is intended and desired to embrace within the scope of this invention such modifications and changes as may be needed or desired to adapt the invention to varying conditions and uses, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in the following claim:

A bound-together sheaf of sheet material defining a book-like assembly thereof, which comprises a plurality of sheets, each sheet having a substantially flat body having an edge provided with an elongated notch having opposite ends terminating in terminal slots, forming oppositely directed opposing binding tabs,.the said notch,'tabs,

and terminal slots of each sheet being equal in size to;

those of all other sheets in the sheaf, the sheets being assembled with these elements in registry throughout the sheaf of sheets, and a tubular binding element having a transversely resilient body presenting a continuous longitudinal surface having open ends of an internal diameter greater than the width of the binding tabs and a wall thickness less than the width of the terminal slots, whereby the binding tabs are received directly in the open ends of the binding element with the wall portions of the opposite end portions of the binding element extending into the terminal slots, the said binding element having a length corresponding to the over-all length of the elongated notch including the terminal slots, there being a clearance between the said notch and the binding element including the binding tabs and the terminal slots for enabling rotation of the sheets about the binding element for opening and closing movements of the book-like assembly of the sheets, the said binding element being transversely flexible for temporarily shortening its effective length for positioning its open ends over said binding tabs and its end wall portions in the terminal slots, the binding element being inherently resilient and self-straightening to its full length by snap-action responsive to release of the binding element when its end portions have received the binding tabs of the stacked sheaf of sheets, the said flexible and inherently resilient binding element being the sole binding means securing together the stacked sheaf of sheets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,169,943 Dow Aug. 15, 1939 2,202,567 Spinner May 28, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 257,323 Great Britain 1926 794,205 France 1935 449,385 Great Britain 1936 243,350 Switzerland 1946 926,935 France 1947 

